Which statement describes soluble fiber's digestive effects and health benefits?

• A. Soluble fiber dissolves in water, slows gastric emptying, reduces postprandial glucose, and can help lower LDL cholesterol.
• B. Insoluble fiber adds bulk to stool and speeds intestinal transit, promoting bowel regularity.
• C. Fiber has no effect on glucose or cholesterol.
• D. Insoluble fiber decreases stool bulk.

Answer: (A)

Soluble fiber dissolves in water to form a viscous gel that slows the rate at which the stomach empties and sugars are absorbed, which blunts the rise in blood glucose after a meal. That same gel also helps lower LDL cholesterol by binding bile acids and promoting their excretion, which nudges the liver to use more cholesterol to make new bile. This combination of slower carbohydrate absorption and cholesterol-lowering effects underlies the digestive and metabolic benefits of soluble fiber found in foods like oats, barley, beans, and many fruits. In contrast, insoluble fiber does not dissolve, instead adds bulk to stool and speeds intestinal transit, so statements that claim fiber has no effect on glucose or cholesterol or that soluble fiber decreases stool bulk don’t fit its specific actions.